ALEC Policy Champions Bring Regulatory Reform to the Palmetto State
Congratulations to Speaker G. Murrell Smith Jr., Rep. Jeff Bradley, Rep. Brandon Newton, Sen. Tom Davis, and Sen. Jason Elliot for their commitment to reducing the regulatory burden and making South Carolina a destination for small businesses!
ALEC is proud to recognize Speaker G. Murrell Smith Jr., Rep. Jeff Bradley, Rep. Brandon Newton, Sen. Tom Davis, and Sen. Jason Elliot from South Carolina as ALEC Policy Champions for their leadership in championing the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act. Gov. Henry McMaster signed the bill into law on June 30.
H.3021 brings several ALEC model policy recommendations included in the Essential Policy Solutions for 2026 to South Carolina. Like the Targeted Legislative Review Act, the REINS-style process requires any rule with an estimated economic impact of over $1 million in the first five years of implementation to receive legislative approval. South Carolina is now the 12th state to limit unaccountable bureaucrats’ rulemaking authority through this practice.
Additionally, the bill includes a process to review existing rules and regulations to ensure that outdated and overly burdensome requirements are removed. The ALEC Regulatory Sunset Act mirrors this reform that helps reduce unnecessary regulations. South Carolina also included language that restores the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches within the rulemaking process. Like ALEC’s model Judicial Deference Reform Act, the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act prohibits state courts from deferring to a state agency’s interpretation of the regulation. Instead, the courts must interpret the rule de novo.
In a January press conference, Speaker Smith recognized the benefits that the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act will bring to the Palmetto State.
“A government closest to the people is the best government for the people and that is why we need to make sure that legislators are creating new regulations and reviewing regulations and approving them rather than bureaucrats,” said Speaker Smith. “This bill is going to create accountability, transparency, and common sense in our regulatory process.”
Congratulations to Speaker G. Murrell Smith Jr., Rep. Jeff Bradley, Rep. Brandon Newton, Sen. Tom Davis, and Sen. Jason Elliot for their commitment to reducing the regulatory burden and making South Carolina a destination for small businesses!